Biography

Patrick Carman

Born

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Patrick Carman is a man with a mission — to get kids reading. He constantly breaks new ground as he seeks different ways to connect kids with reading. He is the author of book five in The 39 Clues, and is also the creator of Skeleton Creek, a gripping, spooky adventure story told in episodes that alternate between chapters in the books and online videos. He has taken multi-platform publishing even further with Trackers, a riveting cyber-thriller told through interlinked text, videos, and websites.

In an interview in the March 2010 issue of Book Links, Carman said, "For kids, multitasking electronically is common. But they are totally focused. You can tell a good story and they listen. There are so many ways to tell a story. With multiplatform books, we are reimagining what literacy can be." Carman also noted the attraction for reluctant readers, and added, "I dare say that there are millions of kids who need things like this."

Earlier in his career, Carman started an advertising agency, created board games, and developed and sold a "dotcom," before finding the thing he was really meant to do: writing youth fiction. While reading to his two young daughters, he began spinning the tale that eventually became the New York Times bestselling The Land of Elyon series. His books have now been translated into more than two dozen languages.